Composite container and method of handling fluent materials

ABSTRACT

A composite container is assembled by introducing a flexible bag, in collapsed condition, into a rigid shell through an opening therein and distending the bag for all-around support by the shell by injecting inflation gas through a multipassage conduit extending through the shell and bag openings; fluent material to be confined is thereafter admitted to the bag while simultaneously exhausting displaced gas through the same conduit means. The material can be discharged through the nozzle means by pumping or by forcing gas into the space between the shell and bag to collapse the bag; or a separate opening can be formed in the bottom of the bag. The two passages may end at the conduit means, and at least one communicates directly with an upper part of the bag to discharge displaced gas. The conduit means has a plate or bar to position the bottom of the bag within the shell.

United States Patent 11113,590,888

[72] Inventor ClarenceB.Coleman 3,068,561 12/1962 Jones 220/63X2401MercedSl.,SanLeandro,Calil. 2.987.216 6/1961 Fletcher 220/63x 945173.083.875 4/196 Welty m1... 222/95 21 4 1.816. 599.070 3.159.306 12/1964Lyall 220/63 12 Filed -2. 3 FOREIGN PATENTS 1451 Pa'cmed 1 1,144,6492/1963 Germany.... 220/63 66.802 3/1957 'France 222/95 154] COMPOSITECONTAINER AND METHOD OF HANDLING FLUENT MATERIALS 15 Claims, 17 DrawingFigs.

[52] U.S.Cl 141/5, 141/48. 141/313. 220/63. 222/95 151] lnt.Cl B65b3/00,865d 25/14. B67c 3/00 1501 FieldofSareh 141/4.5.

21,10, 37, 47. 48. 313.1. 2.59. 63. 69. 70,114. 314; ZZZ/3,95. 183;53/27. 175; 220/63 Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon AssistantExaminer-Neil Abrams Attorney-Rubin. Brucker & Chickering ABSTRACT: Acomposite container is assembled by in troducing a flexible bag, incollapsed condition, into a rigid shell through an opening therein anddistending the bag for all-around support by the shell by injectinginflation gas through a multipassage conduit extending through the shelland bag openings; fluent material to be confined is thereafter admittedto the bag while simultaneously exhausting displaced gas through thesame conduit means. The material can be discharged through the nozzlemeans by pumping or by forcing gas into the space between the shell andbag to collapse the bag; or a separate opening can be formed in thebottom of the bag. The two. passages may end at the conduit means, andat least one communicates directly with an upper part of the bag todischarge displaced gas. The conduit means has a plate or bar toposition the bottom of the bag within the shell.

PATENTEU JUL 6 I971 SHEET 1 OF 5 IN VIL'NI'UK.

g LARENcE B. COLEMAN @mm, 6M1, g &

' ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUL 6l97l SHEET 2 UF 5 IN VliN '1 0R. i 7 CLARENCEB. COLEMAN ATTORNEYS BY 0AM PATENTEDJUL si n 7 3,590,888

mm, Emir/u, Wm 8an em ATTORNEYS COMPOSITE CONTAINER AND METHOD OFHANDLING FLUENT MATERIALS The invention relates to a composite containerfor and to a method of handling fluent material, such as liquids andpulverulent solids, for shipment or storage. More particularly, it isconcerned with confining the material within an impervious bag offlexible material which bag is contained within a rigid container orshell in engagement with the inner surface thereof for structuralsupport.

It is known to confine material within a flexible envelope which isinside of a rigid shell. Such composite containers are useful when it isdesired to isolate the confined material from the ambient atmosphereregardless of whether the shell is im pervious, and are sometimes usedwhen it is desired to obviate the need to clean the inside of a drum orbottle, as well as to provide a confining wall which is inert relativelyto the confined material and/or has a variable volume to limit or avoidthe presence of gas in contact with the material when the container isonly partly filled, e.g. while emptying the container, or for allowingullage for thermal changes in volume of the material.

A drawback of prior composite containers of this type was the danger ofrupturing the flexible wall. If the wall is distended by the material tobe confined, it sometimes presses excessively large parts of theflexible wall against the shell, e.g. as folds, especially at the lowerportions where the weight of the material is most effective; thisprevents all of the other parts of the wall from engaging smoothly theshell wall. The unsupported parts of the flexible wall are then prone tostretching and rupturing. This danger has made it impracticable to fillsuch composite containers rapidly from a condition in which the flexiblebag is collapsed.

On the other hand, prior containers of this type in which the bag wasdilated before the introduction of the fluent material were not wellsuited to preventing air or other ambient gas from coming into contactwith the material within the bag. It is, however, frequently desirableto confine fluent material out of contact with air or other gas that canhave a deleterious effect on the material. Further, prior arrangementsfor venting from the bag the gas which is displaced by the admittedmaterial were not always suitable and often limited the rate at whichthe material could be introduced if entrainment of the material,especially when pulverulent, by the escaping gas was to be avoided.

Still another drawback of many prior constructions was the difficulty ofinstalling the flexible bag within the shell with facility. This hasheretofore been done by using an open-top shell and fitting the bagtherein before closing the shell. lt is often desirable to confine thefluent material within a new bag which is clean and compatible with thestored material and/or may contain or be lined with a fresh coating of atreating agent, as for protecting the bag against the material or todissolve in or to react with the material. The utility of such acomposite container could be enhanced by arranging the bag for rapidintroduction into the shell and providing means by which the bag can beeasily installed within the shell without manipulation of the bag insideof the shell.

Finally, in prior composite container the arrangements for theintroduction into the bag of a device for conditioning the material(conditioning" being herein used to include test ing), such as a heater,cooler, stirrer, injection tube, thermometer, or the like, were lackingor awkward to use. There is, however, frequent need to introduce such aninstrument into the bag for agitating, circulating or treating theconfined material or for controlling its temperature.

Now according to this invention, there is provided a composite containerfor fluent, nongaseous material which includes a rigid container orshell having at least one opening and a flexible bag which can beintroduced through a shell opening in collapsed condition, which bagincludes conduit means providing at least one passageway which is indirect communication with an upper part of the bag, for admittinginflation gas into the bag. It is preferable that the conduit meansincludes two passageways, one for inflating and charging the fluentmaterial into the bag through, the other for simultaneously dischargingthe inflation gas from the bag. The rigid shell, which may be gastightor gas-pervious, provided with holes, has means such as the said holesor, when gastight, a valved opening or a coupling fitting, through whichgas usually air-can escape from the space between the outside of the bagand the inside of the shell, and gas can enter the space when the bag iscollapsed during efflux of the confined material. The material can bedischarged from the bag through the same conduit means that was used toadmit the materially; however, in some embodiments a separate, initiallyclosed, discharge opening is provided or is later formed in the bag. Itmay be noted that the bag is flexible but preferably not significantlystretchable, e.g. made of polyethylene, polypropylene,polyvinylchloride, or other polymeric material, and has a shape to fitagainst the inside of the shell for structural support thereby. The bagmay be as large as or larger than the container, so that substantiallyall ofthe bag is supported.

The conduit means is sealed to the bag at an opening of the bag whichmay be situated as desired, e.g. at the top or near the bottom, and thissea] may be permanent or temporary, e.g. includes adhesives or amechanical clamp. This conduit means may, in one embodiment, include asthe first passageway a dip tube that communicates with a lower part ofthe bag interior and leads out of the shell at the top, and this diptube can be vertically adjustable and receive pump means to empty thecontents of the bag; it may also terminate near the shell wall, eitherat the top or at the bottom. The second passageway is arranged tocommunicate directly with an upper part of the bag interior and may, forexample, take the form of a mere opening in a plug fitted to the shellwall, or a tube situated alongside of or concentrically with the diptube and provided with one or more openings, or may be a riser tube whenthe opening in the shell is situated near the bottom. Usually theconduit means extends through the same opening in the shell wall asthatthrough which the collapsed bag is inserted, but a different opening maybe used.

The conduit means optionally has an access opening for the introductioninto the bag of a conditioning device, which opening can be fitted witha closure to adapt the container for shipment.

The method according to the invention includes the assembly of thecomposite container by introducing the bag, in collapsed condition andtogether with the conduit means, into the rigid shell through an openingin the shell, and admitting an inflation gas through a multipassageconduit means which extends into the bag and through a shell opening todilate the bag and cause it to lie against the inner surfaces of theshell, while gas is exhausted from the space between the bag and theshell. Thereafter the fluent material is introduced through the onepassage of the conduit means directly or after fall by gravity to thelower part of the bag while gas which is displaced by the material isdischarged through another separate passageway from the upper part ofthe bag. When the desired amount of material has been charged the bagcan be sealed, either at the conduit means or after removing the conduitmeans from the bag.

Because the inflation gas acts on all internal parts of the bag, allparts are rapidly brought into engagement with the shell and the dangerof rupture by stretching the bag is obviated. This danger would exist ifliquid were injected directly into a collapsed bag. Further, because thebag is fully distended before the fluent material is introduced, thematerial can also be charged at a high rate without danger of rupture.in all embodiments, the bag is structurally supported by the shell atleast during introduction of the material and subsequent shipment orstorage.

It may be noted that the term nongaseous fluent material includesmaterials that may have a vapor pressure sufficient to generate some gasand/or materials that at some temperatures are so viscous as to beessentially nonfluent.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming part of this specification andillustrating certain preferred embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of one embodiment of thecomposite container;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan of the container;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view, on a reduced scale,showing the discharge of material from the container;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of an accessory tube for causing agitation;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation view of piping for causing circulationof the material;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the bag and conduit means according to asecond embodiment, taken on the broken line 6-6 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a plan of FIG. 6, the pump and agitator being omitted;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section of the bag constructed according to thirdembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic plan of the bag in collapsed condition andshowing, in dotted lines, partial distension according to a fourthembodiment, the outline of the rigid shell appear- FIGS. 10 and 11 areelevations of the fourth embodiment, shown in charging and dischargingpositions, respectively;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section of a fifth embodiment, before distensionof the bag and adjustment of the bag bottom;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary section of the lower part of FIG. 12 showingthe container just before admission of inflation gas;

FIG. 14 is an elevation of the container of FIG. 12 after distension ofthe bag;

FIG. 15 is an elevation of a removable filling assembly for the fifthembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view of a sixth embodiment, wherein theconduit means enters the shell at its bottom; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary elevation of the plug on an enlarged scale.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the composite container comprises a rigidshell 15, e.g. impervious to gas and formed of a cylindrical sheet metalsidewall and top and bottom heads 16 and 17, resting on a platform 18.The head 16 has a central opening 19 theedge of which is shaped toreceive a closure plate 20 in sealed relation. The head 16 may have anupstanding collar 21 at the opening, the top of the collar being roundedto seal against a bead 22 on the closure plate and to provide an anchoredge for holddown means, such as a contractable drum band 23. I

Welded to the plate 20 at an opening therein is a vertical tube 24 thebottom of which carries a circular plate 25 and optionally having anannular plate 26 welded near the top. This tube has axially spacedopenings 27 between these plates, at least one opening being situated atthe bottom and at least one near the top. A flexible bag 28, having atop edge defining an opening, is sealed to the tube 24 just above theplate 26, eg by a clamping band 29. The top of the tube 24 is fitted toa junction or tee 30 carrying at the top a plate 31 having two openings:one of these is fitted with a nipple 32 which is internally orexternally threaded to receive a closure; the other carries a dip tube33 which extends almost to the bottom of the tube 24 and is incommunication with the interior of the bag 28 at its bottom through thelowermost opening 27. The top of the dip tube carries a valve 34 towhich a conduit can be coupled. The tee 30 further has a plate 35through which it communicates with piping connected to a pressure-reliefvalve 36 and a valve 37 to which valve a conduit can be coupled. The bag28 can be collapsed to lie within the confines of the plates 25 and 26and these plates have diameters less than that of the opening 19,whereby all parts below the closure plate 20 can be inserted throughsaid opening. 1

The plate 20 has openings to which are fitted, respectively, a valve 38and a pressure-relief valve 39. These communicate with the space withinthe shell 15 and outside of the bag 28.

The composite container is assembled by inserting the tube 24, with thebag 28 collapsed and situated closely adjacently to the tube, throughthe opening 19 and securing the plate 20 to the head by the band 23. Thetubes 24 and 33 collectively constitute the conduit ineans, the latterproviding the dip tube that communicates directly with the bottom of thebag interior and the former defining a passageway which communicatesseparately with the top of the bag interior. To distend the bag, thevalve 38 is opened, the nipple 32 and valve 34 are closed, and the valve37 is connected to a source of inflation gas under superatmosphericpressure and opened, to admit a blast ofinflation gas. (Alternatively,the valve 37 may be closed and the gas admitted through the valve 34 orthe nipple 32.) The inflation gas dilates the bag to the position shown,in engagement with the shell. The relief valve 36 limits the inflationpressure and thereby is a safeguard for the shell. Most of the air whichis initially present within the shell is exhausted by escape through theopen valve 38, which may then be shut to prevent reentry of air andsagging of the top of the bag to any 7 considerable distance from itsposition shown; however, such sagging is usually minimal and not alwaysobjectionable, and the valve 38 may be left open.

The plate 25 maintains the bag bottom near the head 17 and avoids thedanger of damaging the bag bottom by the end of the tube 24 duringinsertion and while in position. It is also useful during discharge.Further, the plate 26 aids in causing the top of the bag to unfoldreadily and assume the radial position shown. 1

The valve 34 is coupled to a source of the fluent material to beconfined and the valve 37 is opened to the ambient atmosphere or, whenthe inflation gas is to be collected, to a suitable receiver. The fluentmaterial is then forced into the distended bag through the dip tube 33,e.g. at atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure, and the inflation gasis displaced upwardly with little or no mixing with the material. Thisdisplaced gas is exhausted by flow through the openings 27, the tube 24and the valve 37. When filling is completed the valves 34 and 37 areshut and disconnected from the material source and reservoir, and thecontainer is ready for storage or Shipment.

It may be noted that when it is desired to avoid contact of the fluentmaterial with air, the collapsed bag may initially contain a gas that isinert or not deleterious to the material, either the same as orcompatible with the inflation gas, the valves 34 and 37 and the nipple32 being initially closed. Similarly, such a gas may be used as theinflation gas. Examples are nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, ammonia,methane, air, etc., depending upon the nature of the fluent material. Asmall amount of the inflation gas usually remains within the bag afterit is charged with the fluent material. During shipment of storage,thermal expansion of the contents of the bag and shell may result insmall movements in the top of the bag, changing the volume of the airspace above it.

The material is discharged from the bag according to any of severaltechniques. In one, illustrated in FIG. 3, a gas such as air is admittedunder superatmospheric pressure through the valve 38 which is coupled toa source of gas. The valve 37 and nipple 32 being shut, the valve 34 iscoupled to a receiver and opened. The gas entering the shell underpressure collapses the bag and forces the fluent material to flow outthrough the tube 33. The relief valve 39 protects the shell againstexcessive pressure from gas admitted through the valve 38. Thistechnique is especially suitable when the material is liquid.

According to another technique, the valve 38 is opened to admitatmospheric air and the receiver which is connected to the valve 34 isevacuated (or a suction pump is applied to the valve 34) to draw out thematerial through the dip tube 33.

When the material is solid, the shell and bag of the present inventionare also advantageously employed provided it is free flowing or flutfy.When it is not free flowing aeration or fluidization of the material canoften be used to achieve this characteristic. For example, aerating gasmay be advantageously admitted to the bottom of the contents of the bagand shell by using the accessory tube 40 shown in FIG. 4, which issecured within the tube 24 by threading the external lug 41 to theinterior of the nipple 32 so as to position the angularly directed, opendischarge end 42 opposite one of the bottom openings 27. The aeratinggas is supplied through a conduit, not shown, coupled to the threadedcoupling 43. The aerating gas is discharged together with the material.

Because the plate 25 maintains the central part of the bag depressed andaway from the intake to the tube 33, substantially all of the materialcan enter the lowermost hole 27 and flow upwards through the tube 33.Only the amount in the shallow space between the top of the plate 25 andthe bottom of the tube 33 is not exhausted.

It is evident that the-dip tube 33 can serve as a gauge by making itvertically adjustable within the plate 31 and, if desired, mounting thepump at the bottom of the dip tube. The user can then draw out materialuntil its level within the bag is just below the bottom of the tube 33.I

During storage or shipment the cap closing the nipple 32 can be removedand a conditioning device, such as a stirrer, heater or cooler, insertedinto the tube 24. Because of the holes 27, a part of the material willflll this tube. For example, a propeller causing vertical movementthrough the tube 24 will cause circulation through the part of the bagoutside of the tube. Similarly, a heater or cooler will cause thermalcirculation.

Circulation of the material or treatment can also be effected bybubbling a gas through it. For this purpose, the tube 40 of FIG. 4 isconnected to inject a gas into the part of the bag out side of the tube24. The injected gas escapes through the valve 37, which may be openedslightly and connected to a receiver, or, when the gas is air and/orused in small amounts, through the relief valve 36.

External circulation of the confined material can also be effected bydrawing out material through the tube 33, and pumping it back throughthe valve 37, if desired after treating it to alter its temperature. Anexemplary device for this is shown in FIG. 5, which shows a coupler 44adapted to be connected to the valve 34, a pump 45 and a eoupler.46adapted to be connected to the valve 37. A treater 47 can be connectedin this circuit, e.g. a device through which a coolant or heating fluidis passed via a line 48.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein the shell is omitted and only theparts attached to the closure plate are shown, the device includes aclosure plate 120 having a bead 122 for sealing engagement to the tophead of a shell as previously described for the shell 15. The plate hasa circular opening to which is welded in sealed relation a cup member150 to the outside of which the flexible bag 128 is sealed by a clampingband 129. The base of the cup member carries in sealed relation thereto:a sleeve 133a to which is threaded a tube 133 extending to the bagbottom and having a lateral opening 133b at the bottom; a sleeve 124a towhich is threaded a tube 124 extending to the bag bottom and havingopenings 127 at different levels; a coupling nipple 135; and,optionally, a vent nipple 136. The tubes 124 and 133 have flat plates attheir lower ends for smooth engagement with the bag. The plate 120further has a vent nipple 138. The nipples 135, 136 and 138 are threadedto receive closures.

Coupled to the sleeve 133a is a pipe 151 which is connected to a pump152 having a second pipe 153. Usually the pump is driven to dischargeliquid from bag interior, and then the pipes 151 and 153 are suction anddischarge pipes, respectively. However, a reversible pump may be used,or one having a flow in the opposite direction may be substituted. Atreating device of any type can be inserted into the tube 124.Illustrative is a handoperated agitator which comprises a plunger I54fitting closely the inside of the tube and situated between the openings127, which is connected by a rod 155 to a handle 156 By moving theplunger up and down the material is caused to flow through the holes 127and circulation of the material within the bag is effected.

According to different uses, the nipple 138 may be left open to theatmosphere or be connected to a valve and a pressurerelief valve, asdescribed for the valves 38 and 39. However, the nipple 138 can also beshut with a cap during shipment and storage.

The embodiment being described is adapted for storage and shipment withthe pump and, usually, the agitator removed, these being used onlyduring charging or emptying or at the site of use to condition thematerial. To assemble the container, the conduit means, comprising thecup member 150 and parts carried thereby, with the bag 128 collapsedabout the tubes, is inserted into a shell and the plate is sealed'effected by gravity flow or by a pump. The upper ends of the sleeves andnipples in the cup are then closed. Preferably a pressure-relief valveis connected to the nipple 136. The container is now ready for storageor shipment.

Any treating device, such as the plunger 154, can be connected asdesired. Further, circulation can be effected as described for the firstembodiment in connection with FIG. 5 by connecting the discharge pipe153 to the nipple 135, or the pipe 40 of FIG. 4 can be inserted into thetube 124 to inject a gas, which is vented through the nipple 135.

The container can be discharged as described previously, using any ofthe techniques, e.g. applying air under pressure to the nipple 138 anddischarging through the tube 133, and/or using the pump 152 to draw offthe material.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment wherein the conduit means is a pluglikestructure 220 adapted to bethreaded into an opening in the shell head.The plug has at least a pair of bores 224 and 233a, the latter beinglarger and having threaded therein the upper end of a dip tube 233. Thistube carries an enlarged flat, circular plate 225 at its bottom end andhas a lateral hole 233b at the bottom. Both bores can be closed bythreaded caps 257 and 258. The flexible bag 228 is sealed about thelower end of the plug 220 by a sealing band 229, which has an externaldiameter smaller than the external threads 220a, so that the bag,collapsed against the tube 233, can be inserted into an internallythreaded opening in the upper head of a shell, e.g. constructed as isshown in FIGS. 1 or 6 except for the threaded opening. However, thisembodiment is especially designed for use in the embodiment of FIGS. 9,10 and 11, and will be described in greater detail hereinafter. It maybe noted however, that the bag of FIG. 8 can be inflated through eitherbore, preferably the bore 224, and filled and emptied through the tube233 and bore 233a, using any of the previously described techniques.Displaced inflation gas is exhausted through the bore 224. A treatingdevice can be introduced through the bore 224 for immersion in thefluent material.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 11, the composite container includes acylindrical shell 215 having upper and lower heads 216 and 217, theformer having an internally threaded opening situated adjacently oneside for receiving the plug 220. This head further has an internallythreaded vent opening, normally closed by a plug 238, advantageouslysituated diametrically opposite the hole for the plug 220, although thisis not an absolute requirement.

To assemble the container, the bag 228 is initially folded as shown insolid lines in FIG. 9, to lie adjacently about and prin cipally to oneside of the tube 233, and then inserted into the shell, the plug 220being then tightened. The plug 238 being removed to vent the shell, ablast of pressurized inflation gas is admitted through the bore 224. Thebag is thereby dilated, passing first through the form shown in dottedlines and eventually assuming the shape of the shell 215. The plug 238may then be replaced (or a pressure-relief valve mounted in its place).(The folding shown in FIG. 9 may be used also for the prior embodiments,but in the first embodiment it is preferred to have the collapsed baglie symmetrically about the tube 24.)

The container is charged while in the upright position shown in FIG. 10by attaching the bore 233a to a source of the fluent material and thebore 224 to the atmosphere or to a receiver for the displaced inflationgas. The container is filled by gravity flow or under pressure. Theplugs 257 and 258 are then replaced and the container can be stored orshipped. A pressure relief valve or other safety means may be providedon one of the plug bores if the plug 238 is not replaced by such means.

The container may be emptied in the rotated position of FIG. 11, inwhich the plug 220 is depressed. In this variant the contents aredischarged by gravity through either of the bores, the bore 224 beingused at least at the end of the operation to drain the last part of thecontents. During the emptying operations the plug 238 or its replacementis removed to permit the bag to collapse, as is indicated in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 12 through 15 show a fifth embodiment in which the bag is filledfrom the top but emptied from the bottom, and is useful for moving andstoring material within a plant. The shell 315 has an upper head 316 anda frustoconical bottom 317 and is supported on a support structure 318which may have casters. The top head has a vent nipple 338. The bottomhead 317 has a central opening fitted with a hinged door 317a, althougha sliding plate may also be advantageously employed. The head 316 has acentral opening adapted to receive a flexible bag 328 in collapsedcondition, the bag being longer than the shell and having an upper enddefining an opening which is sealed to an upstanding collar on the head316 by a clamping band 329. Adapted to fit over the sealed edge of thebag is a cap plate 320, shown in FIG. 15. This plate is provided withsuitable means for retaining it in sealed and mechanically firm relationto the bag while being rapidly releasable, such means being representedby radial screws 323. The plate has welded thereto a short tube 333which is open at the bottom and has its upper end connected to aflexible hose 359. The plate further has a vent tube 324 connected to asecond flexible hose 360. The tubes 324 and 333, together with the plate320, collectively form the conduit means. The bag 328 is open also atthe bottom, but is tied to close the bottom by a cord 361.

In assembling the composite container the bag is inserted into the shellfrom the top in collapsed condition and secured by the band 329, thebottom end being closed as shown in FIG. 12. The bottom end is thenpushed up into the shell and the door 317a is closed and latched, asappears in FIG. 13. The closure plate 320 is then attached to the top ofthe shell and sealed to the bag. A blast of inflation gas is thenadmitted through the hose 360 to inflate the bag and bring it intoengagement with the inner surface of the shell 315. The bag is therebysupported by the shell on all sides. Air initially present in the spacebetween the bag and the shell wall escaped through the nipple 338, whichmay then be closed with a cap. Plate 320 can be removed, and the bagwill be held in place against the shell, if it is imperforate, due tothe vacuum resulting from evacuation of the air from between the shelland the bag. The container may then be directly filled through the topopening. Alternatively and when an inert atmosphere is desired or theshell is perforated, the material is admitted via the hose 359 and tube333 into the dilated bag, displaced inflation air being exhaustedthrough the tube 324 and hose 360. The plate 320 can then be removedand, if desired, a cover 362 attached, as appears in FIG. 14. The vesselis now ready for storage or movement.

To empty the bag the door 317a is opened and the cord 36] is removed (orthe bag can be cut) while over a receiver, permitting the material tofall out by gravity.

The embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 15 is especially suited to confiningsolid material. However, it can also be used when the fluent material isliquid.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an embodiment wherein the shell 415 has an openingin its side near the bottom head 417 through which the bag 428 isinserted in collapsed condition, wrapped about a guide rod 425, and theupper head 416 has an opening provided with a closure plate 462 whichseals the top. The plate 462 has an internally threaded vent openingthat can be closed by a plug 438. The conduit means which extendsthrough the bottom opening is constituted by a plug 420 having a boltingflange 463 and a pair of parallel bores which receive short tubes 424aand 433a in sealed relation; the bag being sealed to this plug by a band429. The outer ends of these short tubes provide coupling means forattaching hoses leading respectively to a source of inflation gas and asource of fluent material or a receiver therefor.

. The bag contains a flexible tube 424 of sufficient stiffness to remainopen which is connected at one end by a cord or top 464 to a part of thebag which is near the top when distended. This is attached duringconstruction of the bag. The other end of this tube is fitted to theinner end of the tube 424a. The inner end of tube 433a is connected toone end of a tube 433 which extends through a small horizontal distanceand is open toward the bottom. The bar 425 is rigidly carried by thetube 433 (or attached directly to the plug 420).

In assembling the container of FIGS. 16 and 17, the collapsed bag isinserted with the plug 420 at the bottom of the shell and the plug issecured 'to the shell by its bolting flange 463. The guide rod 425guides the bag into the shell and maintains it in position duringsubsequent inflation. The plug 438 being removed, a blast of inflationgas is introduced through the tubes 424 and 424a to inflate the bag tothe position shown. The plug 438 may then be replaced and the bag isfilled with fluent material through the tubes 433a and 433, whiledisplaced gas is discharged through the tubes 424 and 4240. The bag isemptied through the tubes 433 and 433a after removing the plug 438. Thecharging and emptying operations may follow any of the techniquespreviously described, and pressure-responsive valves may be provided inlieu of the plug 438 and/or at the outside of the plug 420 as previouslydescribed.

It is, of course, possible to introduce the collapsed bag through anopening in the shell other than that through which the conduit meansextends. For example, in the last embodiment the bag can be introducedthrough the opening at the top of the shell, which can further be usedto inspect the position of the bag.

It will be noted that in the several views the last two digits of thereference number when alike, denote corresponding parts or partsperforming corresponding functions.

It may be noted that the flexible bag can be inserted into the rigidshell at the factory and inflated either there or at the site offilling, or that the bag and conduit means sealed thereto can be shippedfrom the factory outside of the shell.

lclaim:

1. The method of handling fluent, nongaseous material which comprisesthe steps of:

sealing a flexible bag to a multipassage conduit means,

inserting said flexible bag in collapsed condition into a rigid shellthrough an opening therein,

said multipassage conduit means extending through said opening,

injecting inflation gas into said bag through said conduit means whileexhausting gas from between said bag and said shell and therebydistending the bag into engagement with the interior of said shell, and

thereafter introducing said material into the distended bag through onepassage of the conduit means while exhausting from an upper part of thebag and through another passage of the conduit means gas which isdisplaced by the entering material.

2. In combination with the steps defined in claim 1, the step ofsubsequently effecting movement in said fluent material within the bag.

3. In combination with the steps defined in claim I, the step ofsubsequently discharging said fluent material from the bag by exhaustingthe material from the lower part of the bag.

4. Method as defined in claim 3 wherein said bag is collapsed as saidmaterial is discharged.

5. Method as defined in claim 4 wherein said bag is collapsed by forcinga gas under pressure into the space within the shell and outside of thebag.

6. Method as defined in claim 3 wherein said material is discharged fromthe bottom of the bag upwardly and through the top of the bag andthrough one of said passageways.

7. Apparatus for handling nongaseous fluent material comprising:

a rigid shell formed with at least one opening in a wall thereof;

a bag having a flexible wall and insertable into said shell in collapsedcondition through said opening and being shaped, when distended, toengage the internal surface of said shell for support thereby,

said bag being formed with an edge portion defining an inlet opening;

conduit means adapted to be mounted on the shell at an opening thereinand having coupling means for connection through a source of inflationgas for distending the bag and, subsequently, for filling said bag, saidconduit means providing at least two separate passageways of which oneis adapted for connection to a source of said fluent material and theother passageway is in direct communication with an upper part of saidbag when distended;

guide means fixed to said conduit means and shaped to engage andposition the bottom of said bag within the shell;

means sealing said bag edge to said conduit means; and

means for discharging gas from the space between the shell and said bag.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 which includes means for admittinggas into the space between the shell and the bag while discharging thefluent material from the bag, whereby said bag can be collapsed duringsaid discharge.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit means includes apair of tubes having different diameters, the larger diameter tubehaving lateral openings at axially spaced locations and the interiorthereof being in communication with one of said passageways and thesmaller diameter tube forming at least a part of the other passageway.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit means includesa pair of tubes, one of said tubes being formed so as to be housedwithin the other, said other tube having axially spaced openings incommunication with the interior of the bag.

11. In combination with apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein saidshell is gastight and in sealed relation to said conduit means:pressure-responsive means for flowing air between said shell and theambient atmosphere in response to a pressure differential between saidspace and the atmosphere.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit means is formedwith a passageway shaped for insertion therethrough of a materialconditioning device into the bag for contact with said material.

13. In combination with apparatus as defined in claim 7, means forinjecting a gas into said material at a lower part of the bag from asource outside of the shell.

14. in combination with apparatus as defined in claim 7, a device forcirculating said material, said device including means for continuouslywithdrawing some of said material from the bag to a point outside of theshell, and means for returning the withdrawn material into the bag.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein one of said passagesincludes a dip tube and said conduit means comprises a member extendingtransversely to said dip tube and in sealed relation to said bag edgeportion, said dip tube having communication through said member, and theother passageway exwith or exhausted ofinflation gas.

1. The method of handling fluent, nongaseous material which comprisesthe steps of: sealing a flexible bag to a multipassage conduit means,inserting said flexible bag in collapsed condition into a rigid shellthrough an opening therein, said multipassage conduit means extendingthrough said opening, injecting inflation gas into said bag through saidconduit means while exhausting gas from between said bag and said shelland thereby distending the bag into engagement with the interior of saidshell, and thereafter introducing said material into the distended bagthrough one passage of the conduit means while exhausting from an upperpart of the bag and through another passage of the conduit means gaswhich is displaced by the entering material.
 2. In combination with thesteps defined in claim 1, the step of subsequently effecting movement insaid fluent material within the bag.
 3. In combination with the stepsdefined in claim 1, the step of subsequently discharging said fluentmaterial from the bag by exhausting the material from the lower part ofthe bag.
 4. Method as defined in claim 3 wherein said bag is collapsedas said material is discharged.
 5. Method as defined in claim 4 whereinsaid bag is collapsed by forcing a gas under pressure into the spacewithin the shell and outside of the bag.
 6. Method as defined in claim 3wherein said material is discharged from the bottom of the bag upwardlyand through the top of the bag and through one of said passageways. 7.Apparatus for handling nongaseous fluent material comprising: a rigidshell formed with at least one opening in a wall thereof; a bag having aflexible wall and insertable into said shell in collapsed conditionthrough said opening and being shaped, when distended, to engage theinternal surface of said shell for support thereby, said bag beingformed with an edge portion defining an inlet opening; conduit meansadapted to be mounted on the shell at an opening therein and havingcoupling means for connection through a source of inflation gas fordistending the bag and, subsequently, for filling said bag, said conduitmeans providing at least two separate passageways of which one isadapted for connection to a source of said fluent material and the otherpassageway is in direct communication with an upper part of said bagwhen distended; guide means fixed to said conduit means and shaped toengage and position the bottom of said bag within the shell; meanssealing said bag edge to said conduit means; and means for discharginggas from the space between the shell and said bag.
 8. Apparatus asdefined in claim 7 which includes means for admitting gas into the spacebetween the shell and the bag while discharging the fluent material fromthe bag, whereby said bag can be collapsed during said discharge. 9.Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit means includes apair of tubes having different diameters, the larger diameter tubehaving lateral openings at axially spaced locations and the interiorthereof being in communication with one of said passageways and thesmaller diameter tube forming at least a part of the other passageway.10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit means includesa pair of tubes, one of said tubes being formed so as to be housedwithin the other, said other tube having axially spaced openings incommunication with the interior of the bag.
 11. In combination withapparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said shell is gastight and insealed relation to said conduit means: pressure-responsive means forflowing air between said shell and the ambient atmosphere in response toa pressure differential between said space and the atmosphere. 12.Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit means is formedwith a passageway shaped for insertion therethrough of a materialconditioning device into the bag for contact with said material.
 13. Incombination with apparatus as defined in claim 7, means for injecting agas into said material at a lower part of the bag from a source outsideof the shell.
 14. In combination with apparatus as defined in claim 7, adevice for circulating said material, said device including means forcontinuously withdrawing some of said material from the bag to a pointoutside of the shell, and means for returning the withdrawn materialinto the bag.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein one of saidpassages includes a dip tube and said conduit means comprises a memberextending transversely to said dip tube and in sealed relation to saidbag edge portion, said dip tube having communication through saidmember, and the other passageway extends through said member and is indirect communication with an upper part of said bag, whereby the bag maybe filled with or exhausted of inflation gas.